I bent to her height and whispered, “I’m game if you are?” As I straightened, I smiled. She took a step forward and reached around to her back, and discreetly gave me the middle finger. I couldn’t help but chuckle, unfortunately though, it was out loud and put me in the spotlight as gazes glanced around at me.
Nikki stormed away, and Roman took her place. “What's wrong with her?” he asked as he side-eyed me.
“Who knows?” I shrugged. “She asked me a question and I answered her.”
“Hm, it depends on what you said to her?”
“I don’t know what you mean? I was polite.” I shook my head and played ignorant. It wasn’t my fault I could rub her up the wrong way, but then there were the times I rubbed her the right way, and that made me feel even more the victor.
“Course you don’t. You do seem to draw certain emotions out of her.”That’s not all I draw out of her,I wanted to say, but I keep it to myself.“Maybe you should stop fighting the inevitable?”
My head snapped to the side, “The inevitable, fuck that! There is no inevitable with me and her, except when she’s pissed.” I stared at him, “Me and Nikki will never be together. I’m not cut out for that. I’m not you, Rome.”
He turned towards me and slipped his hands into his trouser pockets. He was all tarted up for this shoot, “But you can keep fucking like rabbits…”doesn’t miss a fucking trick. The side of his mouth tipped up, “Does she know there’s nothing between you?”
“Yeah.” My eyes squinted as the sun reflected off the pool. She slid up to the attractive photographer I met earlier, maybe today wouldn’t be so bad. I hated these shoots. Boring, entitled pricks always came along and nosey bastard journalists who wanted to pick at my best friend’s world like they had God-given rights. I reached inside my pocket, pulled out my Ray-Bans, and slid them over my eyes. “Have you seen the way she treats me? She can’t stand the sight of me unless tequila is involved.”
Roman sighed and chewed on his lip, "You know it’ll end in tears.” Roman said and turned back to the front. Just then, I saw Paisley coming towards us, Roman dipped his head towards me,“Probably yours when Paisley kicks your fucking arse for hurting her best friend.”
He patted my shoulder with a tight smile, snorting at his own comment.Moron.As Paisley approached us, his face changed with a wide smile. “Come with me, I need you to meet someone.” Paisley tugged on his hand to lead him to God knows where, he followed obediently and glanced back over his shoulder briefly, a smug look played on his face. Wanker.
My gaze fell onto Nikki. She hadn’t been around much since we’d been almost caught in the kitchen last week. But then neither had I. As much she made me hot for her, the distance between us was probably a good idea. We were friends first, and friends with benefits never really worked in the long term, neither of us wanted a relationship. At the end of the day, I wasn’t good enough for her, or any other woman. I had to sort my own shit out before I dragged anyone else into my world. Fuck buddies was all I could offer.
Nikki eyed me from the other side of the pool. What the fuck was wrong with her now? From here, I couldn’t even tell what she was thinking, I hadn’t got enough headspace to worry about it right now either. Fuck’s sake. Maybe it was time that came to an end too. There were plenty of women in L.A. that wanted a hook-up. No involvement, no expectations, just good old dirty fucking.I’d be happy with that.
As that thought whirled around in my mind, I straightened my tie and grabbed the two parts of my jacket to fasten the button, then slipped my mask into place. I moved into the throng of visitors and crossed the patio. I got as far away from Nikki as I possibly could, then took my place at the gate. We had extra security at the front gate. Kevin and Rhys were both in corners, and we had another guy back here as well.
My hands fell in front of me, clasped together and I squared my shoulders. Then I watched. In fact, all I did was watch…notthat I wasn’t happy with my role here in L.A. and Roman and Paisley’s life, because I was, but I just wanted… more. But who could I blame for not having more? No one but myself. Me and my addictions had fucked everything up.
The shoot had already started, and Roman was being pulled this way and that for the next hour or so. Paisley stood off to the side with Nikki, and I watched the slim photographer snap pictures of him. Every time the camera moved from her face; a sweet smile lit up her eyes.At least someone was happy.I thought to myself.As she giggled at something Paisley had said, Nikki clapped her hands and shouted for everyone to take a break.
Journalists moved into their little groups, Rhys and Kevin watched over everyone, and the caterers Paisley had hired walked the pool area with drinks. Roman, Paisley and Nikki talked in their little group as the photographer stood off to the side going back through her camera. I opened the gate and walked out onto the front drive, I wanted to make sure there was no one around that shouldn’t be. From the corner of my eye, I saw someone walk past. I turned around and watched her walk quickly to the line of cars. She slid her key into the door of a banged up, red Chevrolet and pulled open the door, but not before she glanced my way, her head dipped shyly and got inside.
I turned my back to the driveway and stood in the gap of the gateway. She didn't seem the kind of person that would do this job. She seemed quiet, a kind of introvert at first glance. I could be wrong though, maybe she’s shy. Photographers are usually very dominant, bossy. Like Nikki.
“Excuse me?” Her voice was small as I felt the light tap on my shoulder. I must have been lost in my own head. I didn’t even hear her come up behind me. As I glanced back, I looked down at her. A nervous smile nudged at the corners of her lips,and her fingers tightly gripped her camera. A blush spread over her cheeks as I regarded her closely. Blonde hair pulled up into a messy bun, a T-shirt stretched across her chest and her eyes were wide. I moved aside and let her pass. My mouth pulled into a smirk as she stopped just the other side of the gate.
“Will you need to go back out there?” I asked before I closed it again.
She half turned, “I don’t think so, no.”
I nodded. “So, you’re the photographer?” I asked, because I didn’t know what else to say. I squinted as I took off my sunglasses, the sun almost blinded me, it was that bright. Once I’d adjusted to the light, I smiled at the pretty thing in front of me.
“I am. I see you're part of Mr Dean’s security. I wouldn’t have guessed that when you were half dressed earlier.”
My eyebrow lifted, and my mouth tugged up at one side, “Yeah,” I leaned in closer, “maybe we can keep that between us though, Nikki will kick my arse if she knows.”
Her pink lips pressed together to bite back a smile, and her tongue rolled over her lips, wetting them. “Thing is, I don’t know you, and you did make me late for my job. I don’t know,” she shrugged a shoulder,“maybe I’ll think about it.”Okay, maybe not so quiet after all.
“I’m Gavin. I’m Roman’s best friend.”
“Karen,” her small hand thrust out in front of her, “but then you know that since I already introduced myself.” With a quick nod, I took it.
“Weren't you here taking shots for the wedding?” I asked, her familiarity was getting to me.
“I was.” Her head nodded up and down slowly, “Well Gavin, I better get back to work. I don’t want to upset Nikki.” She released my hand and smiled. Not nervous now, but she still showed that shyness she’d been trying to hide.
“She’s a pussycat, really.” I threw her a wink.
